Why Science Can't Answer Life's Biggest Questions
The Quest for Understanding: A Scientific Perspective
In the 1960s, school libraries were filled with books like the How and Why Wonder series, which were mostly about science. I vividly recall reading several of these well-illustrated books, such as The How and Why Wonder Book of Dinosaurs and The How and Why Wonder Book of Stars. The titles in this series suggested that the books would reveal all about such topics, encompassing the questions of how and why. But did they really deliver?
As scientists, we often find ourselves in a peculiar situation. People frequently ask us why something happens, but we answer with a description of how things happen. Most people walk away satisfied with our answers, not realizing that we haven’t answered their original question at all. This phenomenon is so pervasive that even many scientists are unaware of it. However, focusing solely on the how overlooks the most crucial answers about the world.
The How-Oriented Approach
Consider the classic example of a fig falling from a tree. When asked why, scientists might respond with a simple "Gravity." While this answer may satisfy some, it doesn’t ultimately explain why objects fall. Gravity, after all, is defined as the observation that objects appear to fall to the earth. By stating that a fig falls because of gravity, we are merely naming the phenomenon without providing a deeper explanation.
To answer the question more fundamentally, we could delve into Newton's law of gravity or Einstein's theory of general relativity. Newton's law describes how gravity depends on the masses of objects and the inverse square law of distance. However, this explanation still doesn’t reveal why gravity works. Similarly, general relativity describes how gravity behaves but doesn’t address its fundamental nature or why it exists.
This pattern repeats across various scientific disciplines. Newton's laws of motion describe how objects move in response to forces but don’t explain why. The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy in isolated systems never decreases, but it doesn’t provide a reason for this phenomenon. Statistical mechanics offers a microscopic perspective on entropy's increase, but it doesn’t answer the why question. Snell's law explains how light refracts, but it doesn’t reveal why.
The Limitations of Science
It's essential to recognize that science operates within certain boundaries. Any system of knowledge must start with assumptions, such as axioms, postulates, and definitions. These foundational elements serve as the building blocks upon which scientific theories are constructed. Without these assumptions, no scientific knowledge can be built.
For instance, geometry begins by assuming the existence of points, lines, and planes. Similarly, physicists assume the existence of matter, energy, space, and time, even though we don’t fully understand what these concepts are. From these assumptions, physicists have made significant advancements in understanding the behavior of these entities.
However, the physical world primarily reveals how things operate rather than why they operate the way they do. The question of why ultimately belongs to philosophy and theology, not empirical science.
Naturalism and the Why Question
Most scientists unknowingly embrace the assumption of naturalism, which posits that only the natural world exists and that God is irrelevant to it. This assumption has no expectation as to why the world exists as it does. The natural world exists as it does because of its evolution, and the worldview of most scientists excludes the possibility of God's design.
Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to ask why questions about the world. The focus should be on understanding how the world operates. Christians, however, understand that God created the world with purpose, providing a compelling reason to explore the why questions.
The Design and Purpose of Creation
For instance, the inverse square law of gravity has profound implications for design. If gravity followed a different function of distance, stable orbits as we know them would not exist. The moon's orbit around the earth, which we see as beneficial, would not occur without the inverse square law. While the naturalist might attribute this to the world's three-dimensional space, this merely shifts the why question.
The natural world reveals God's existence, eternality, creativity, and divine power. However, it doesn’t reveal all of God's attributes. To understand the fullness of God's holiness, righteousness, and perfection, we need his specific revelation from the Bible. Additionally, the natural world informs us of our sinfulness and the need for salvation, which can only be learned by studying God's Word.
The Ultimate Book of How and Why
Science is incredibly helpful, but it cannot provide ultimate answers to life's biggest questions. We can learn those answers only by studying God's Word—the ultimate book of How and Why. The next time you engage with a scientist, consider asking them how something happens. You already know the why, and it's through the lens of faith that we can truly understand the mysteries of the universe.
